The Endless

by BloomingStar

Deep memories: Rescuing an old friend

Shard was at the cafeteria, alone eating his lunch break since his partner needed more time to recover from her injuries. While eating, he picked up a book from his saddle bag, placed it at the table, and opened it. It was the same book that he found at the library. He was searching more artifacts that could be of interest for him to use as an additional benefit to his powers. He looked to see images of a dagger, a tome of forbidden magic, a relic, and a scroll with an unfamiliar rune, in which not made him have the liking to them. He continued searching in hopes of finding more of value.

After half an hour, he had no luck, so he closed the book and put it back inside his bag. He sighed as he believed that the book had no more of interest for him. He had no more classes after lunch so he had nothing to do much for today. He carried his bag, walked out of the cafeteria, and then straight outside onward to the park. Usually, whenever he had nothing else to do, he just sat on the plain grass and feel the wind. He arrived at his destination and did no hesitantly sat on a nearby bench. He looked around to see that it was obvious that nopony was in the area. He looked at the sky, watching the clouds moving aimlessly as he drifted off into slumber, dreaming of things...

A four year old colt named Eter woke up in the night when he heard sounds of panic and worry coming from the living room. He got out of bed then slowly went to door, carefully opening it just by a slight to take a peak of what was going on. He looked to see his parents talking with worried look on their faces, not really an argument, but something else. He then heard them starting a conversation.

"I don't want anything to happen. What if they find us and kill us?" questioned by a mare with such concern.

"Just stay calm, Lucra, we can do this," replied by a stallion that sounded like he was trying to make her calm.

"I know, my love. It's just that I can't lose you, especially him. I don't want to go back. I want to stay here with you and our little child," she stated as she pointed out a picture on the wall. It showed an image of them being happy along a little foal being cradled in her hooves.

"We will be alive, Lucra. Remember that the three of us will overcome this together as family. I promise you, " the stallion said as he hugged her tightly.

Lucra returned it as well as she replied, "I hope you will keep that promise."

The colt did not understand of the situation, he was too young ever realize the reality. He went back to his bed, hoping that everything be alright.

"We are trapped!" shouted the stallion.

"Come on, there should be an opening upstairs," replied by Lucra as the two immediately galloped to the second floor.

The fire was spreading too quickly that it had the walls being covered with it, including the windows. However, there was still one window left open, but it was not of what they would expected it to be.

"This window won't fit us through. I can't believe this is happening."

"Our little child, my love," Lucra pointed him out their crying foal who was being cradled in her hooves, "We may not survive anymore, but we can have our child to take the opportunity."

At first, he was shocked to hear her idea, but later realized that they had no other options left. They wanted their child to live. Many ponies died in many unnatural accidents. Their foal should not be one of them. He turned his gaze to his son and said,

"I know that this may not end well for all of us, Eter, but know that we love you and we would be always be there for you."

The foal gave out a sniff with a whispering reply, "Dad..."

"Be alive, son. Be alive for us."

The fire was getting stronger as some of the boards were breaking down. They must be done with it now.

"Mom?" the colt then turned his gaze to his mother.

"I promise you, my child, that you will get that life. I'm sorry if we won't see you grow up to be a great pony," she paused for a brief moment as tears were forming in her eyes, "Me and your father are worthy dying for. Your legacy starts here, my son."

At that, Lucra's starting to glow, covering Eter in a bluish aura as he was released from his mother's grip. He was then sent to window with a final look on his parents. He saw them smiling with tears and saying their final words,

"Goodbye, son," the two said in unison.

That was the last time he saw his parents and the last he heard from them as the aura around him disappeared, signifying him falling to the ground, only then to be grabbed by the rescue team. The last thing he saw before slumber taking him was his house immediately burned into ashes, leaving behind but a memory.

He suddenly woke up as he heard loud noises like screaming. He turned around to see a huge smoke coming from the town. Curious of what was going on, he left his bag at the bench and proceeded directly to the town. As he reached his destination, he saw a smoke coming out from the school and students running away while panicking like there was a fire inside. Not wanting to know further of what could be the reason or if his friends were alright, he quickly transformed into his demonic form, ignoring others that were shocked by his doing. He then began galloping straight to the building.

He followed the trace of the smoke until he reached to the third. The smoke was overwhelming, he assumed that he's getting closed to find the source as he continued galloping down the hallway. He continued running until he reached the chemistry lab. As he went inside, there were massive flames on the sides, spilled chemical substances as the flames were starting to expand further. He summoned a few of his clones to help him in searching the students and evacuating them from the building.

"Help..."

He heard a voice, sounded so familiar. He forced himself running through the flames, letting the pain slide as his coat received burned marks. He ducked below to get a better view to see the one calling out. He saw his old friend, an earth pony with a yellow coat, a red mane with a pink ribbon strapped at the back. He knew that this pony was her. The one who had abandoned him and now the one who needed the help.

"Bloom! Can you hear me?" he shouted.

"*cough* p-pardner? I-i-is that *cough* you?" the earth pony replied as she began in coughing up blood.

"Oh buck, don't worry, Bloom, I'll get you out of here," Shard replied as he began levitating her and placed her at his back.

The colt turned around to see the others were out, so it looked it's only him and her left. He galloped through the hallway and avoiding every falling debris. As more debris falling, he barely had any time left to escape. As he to the stairs, it was blocked by the roaring flame. He noticed all of the rooms were fully on fire and the only thing left was a window. Knowing that it was his last option, he gathered all of his might, galloping straight to the window as he broke through the glass. Now on the edge of death, but not really a true death, he opened his wings, flapping them with force to activate his flying mode, but to no avail. Getting closer now to the bottom, his eyes glowed by unknown means as his wings began doing one big flap that made a...

BANG!

As his eyes returned to normal, he noticed he's hovering lightly. He landed, placing Apple Bloom at the ground gently as he looked around to see the students looking at him with suprised looks on their faces. Some of them were mumbling words about him. He gave out a groan as he shook his head then began flying out of the scene. He had been through a rough day, he hoped the event that had happenned today would just be a piece of memory to fade.